“This is the first time they’ve invited me.”
And I read the rest from her body, teeth digging into her lip as she absently picks at the skin around her thumb. She wants this. She’s wanted this for a long time, and now that she finally has it, she might no longer be welcome.
“And there’s this.” She picks up a second thinner piece of paper and slides it over to me. In neat handwriting, it reads.We’d love for you to come sing. Please let us know as soon as possible to make proper arrangements.
“If you decide to go, I’ll be right there with you.”
Through anything. Through everything.
26
Avery
December 2025
“Have you been back since?” Wes asks.
He’s sitting beside me as the wrought iron gates swing wide. The estate is eerie in the dim late fall haze. It’s objectively the worst season, unless you have a thing for gothic architecture that looks like it’s sentient and will eat you whole. The leaves are long gone from the spindling branches overhead, and the weather casts everything in a gray monotone.
“A few times. We tried Christmas once, but it was this super formal thing, and they tried to set me up with every male guest under forty,” I explain. “You really didn’t have to come.” I wince thinking about the last time he was here, his quick exit out the window and the tense months after with my grandparents. But I’m happy he’s with me, almost as much I am shocked that we’re here at all.
I contacted my grandmother’s assistant saying I was interested and expected to get a response along the lines ofsorry, the invitation was a mistake and you still have six months left of exile. Beyond that, I was faced with the reality that I haven’t thought much about my grandparents since, well, Wes,sent the voicemail before our first show. Usually, I’d be checking to see if they picked up their tickets or texting them pictures from my view in the hotel.
But I guess that voicemail and everything else has me curious to why now? I would have expected them to want me as far away as possible. Maybe what Wes said made an impact. I owe it to the version of myself who constantly sought out their approval to see, now that everything is laid out on the table, if we can move forward.
“And miss out on watching people who secretly hate each other interact all night? I wouldn’t miss that for the world. It’s like watching reality TV live,” he jokes, but then his wide smile softens. “They may be your family, but I am too.”
“Well, legally, I guess that’s true.”
His tone stays firm. “Ave, we were family long before we signed that paper.”
“I know.” The two of us, George, and Dad. We were unconventional yet happy. I had a hole in my life I was desperate to fill at any cost, which could have been the reason I’ve pushed so hard with my grandparents.
Our car slows, stopping just past the line of white vans with logos for various catering and floral services. The fundraiser doesn’t start for a few more hours, and vendors are bustling to cart in cases of wine and linens.
Since the event is going late, we packed for an overnight trip. We’ll head to the airport early in the morning so we can get to Dallas with plenty of time to spare before the next show.
The moment we crack the door open, a professionally dressed, tall woman with fine bone structure and bouncy blonde curls secured with a headband emerges from the chaos to greet us.
“I’m Petra, your grandmother’s assistant. I’ll be helping you out today. So lucky to have you here. Let me show you where the other entertainment folks are.” Because of her welcomingpleasant tone, it takes me a moment to register the unexpected meaning of her words.
“Entertainment?” I step from the car, gravel grinding under my heavy boot.
“Yes, you agreed to sing, didn’t you? The band is waiting for you to run through the selected music numbers.”
“We did, but I thought that was just a request in addition to the invitation. Something fun to throw in as part of the evening.” I speak slowly, giving myself time to catch up to this new information thrown at us. I’m so thrown off balance that I barely recognize that we’ve been guided to the open side entrance instead of being led up the steps through the main house.
“You’re welcome to mingle afterward.” Petra’s smile twitches. “But that is entirely up to you.” Meaning it would be in our best interests if I just played along and stayed hidden because I’ve already caused enough trouble.
“Are my grandparents around?” I ask. “It would be great to see them before things get too busy and clear up the confusion here.”
“They’re in town but will be back soon. You should have time to talk to them then.” The air bursts with the clanging of pans as we walk through the organized whirlwind of a well-oiled kitchen. “The band is waiting for you to run through songs, and we have outfits and beauty teams ready for you the moment you’re done.”
What did I expect? For them to run down the stairs to greet us—well, not run. Ivy probably hasn’t run a day in her life. But I at least thought they’d be here. Not only are they gone, we didn’t even go through the front door.
Ivy’s haughty voice floods my mind.You could have been a guest if you had come to your senses and acted appropriately.If you insist on being the entertainment, don’t be surprised when you’re treated accordingly.
“So, which of our songs are we singing then?” Wes asks. His voice is flat and he’s studying my face, letting me take the lead, even though his body is tense. I have a feeling if I told him I wanted to run he’d scoop me up in his arms and sprint out of here.
